Album of the Month - February 2025
Oklou - Choke Enough
Heavenly hyperpop for both dance floors, bedrooms and the intimate spaces in-between.
Who
French singer, producer composer and DJ also known as Marylou Maniel. Oklou's early musical experiences began with her classical education in piano and cello. Influenced by her brother's CD collection, Oklou's musical direction took a different turn, leaning into her tastes for leftfield hip-hop and dance music. After moving from the countryside of west France to Paris, Oklou taught herself how to make electronic music on her computer, subsequently breaking into the underground pop world.
What
Choke Enough is Oklou's debut full-length following 2020 mixtape Galore. Inspired by a familial interest in folkloric sounds, rituals and the traditional music of regional France, Oklou delves deeper into community whilst operating in a digital world. This is the next dimension to the Oklou sound, playing with trance music's vibrant and emotional tone with softer, often tender instrumentation. Inviting, sensual soundscapes which lyrically explore the fragility of life and the theme of feeling alive, captured by the French producer's delicate, soft and fast dynamics.
With
For fans of: Bladee, Caroline Polachek and Cecile Believe
Don't Miss...
Browse our full list of Rough Trade Edit titles and listen to/follow our dedicated Album of the Month Spotify playlist below.